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THIS
CHALLENGE IS NOW COMPLETE - READ ABOUT IT BY
CLICKING HERE
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Hougoumont or Bust!
From the
15th to the 18th of December 2008, an elite team of
Seniors from the Coldstream Guards will attempt run, row
and cycle the distance from Coldstream (Scotland) to
Hougoumont (Belgium), a total distance of nearly 650
miles in under 85 hours!
The event is being organised by the Regimental
Recruiting Officer, Captain Louis White and the
Regimental Recruiting Warrant Officer, WOII John Sheard,
being ran to raise funds to purchase an adapted vehicle
and insurance for LCpl Simon Wiggins who was injured in
the Battalion’s tour of Afghanistan (Sept 07 – April
08).
WOII Sheard said:
“The Battalion deployed to Afghanistan on Op
Herrick 7 and during the tour we were involved in
everything from war fighting to peace keeping. On the
16th of March 2008 LCpl Simon Wiggins was seriously
injured by a land mine blast. He was on the critically
injured list for two and a half weeks and spent eleven
days on life support requiring fifty four bags of blood.
His injuries included losing his right leg above the
knee, one finger on his right hand and part of his
liver, in addition to serious lacerations to his entire
body including facial scarring. If it had not been for
the bravery and professionalism of his colleagues LCpl
Wiggins would have bled to death!”
Due to his determination and strength of character Simon
has made a remarkable recovery and is now coming to
terms with life as an amputee. He is 22 years old and
wants to live his life like any other 22 year old. The
major problem in his life at the moment is his lack of
independence, and he is totally reliant on friends and
family to move him where and whenever possible requiring
substantial logistical planning.
WOII Sheard continued to explain:
“The ability for LCpl Wiggins to drive his own car
would enormously improve his confidence
and quality of life, but modifications and insurance for
such a vehicle are very expensive. As a result of this
the Coldstream Guards have ran a few appeals to raise
money, with the 24hr 3 peaks challenge recently. The
event will start on the 15th of December and a team of
ten Warrant Officers will begin with a run of 470 miles,
using a route in and around Windsor. Each member will
take turns to run a 10 mile route through and around the
town returning to pass the baton onto the next member.
We will do this none-stop until we have clocked up the
distance equalling a the distance from Coldstream to
Dover. We will then move onto the rowing machines and
row the distance from Dover to Calais (27
Miles) and finally onto the bikes for a gruelling 147
mile cycle ride from Calais to Hougoumont. The whole
challenge will run continuously and is expected to take
in the region of 85 hours. The entire Battalion are also
being asked to contribute one day’s pay to help improve
Simon’s life. Simon is entitled to a mobility grant from
the government but this like other processes, it is
proving laborious and frustrating. Modern soldiers need
to be flexible and proactive, the Coldstream Guards is a
modern thinking Battalion and they want to help one of
their own NOW!”
LCpl Wiggins was a central figure in the Regiments
‘Freedom of Windsor’ Parade in April even though he had
only been in his wheel chair a few days. He took part in
the parade as he thought it was important to show the
people of Windsor the reality of Operational Tours in
this modern climate. The Coldstream Guards are now
asking if YOU can show your support to a man who has
made a great sacrifice for this country.
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30% discount on all UK shoes for all serving soldiers
bought through army.net |
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30% discount on all UK shoes for all serving soldiers
bought through army.net |
Can
you help? .....donations greatly appreciated
A number of local businesses (75) have been contacted
for sponsorship, and it has been confirmed that there
will be radio and newspaper coverage for the event.
The Coldstream Guards are also planning to organise a
‘Charity Dinner’ in Victoria Barracks, Windsor on the
3rd of December 2008, which will include
pre-dinner drinks, an auction and outstanding military
entertainment. Two tickets for this prestigious
event will be available per business for the
organisations that make the most ‘generous’ donations.
If you’d like to help, any donations are greatly
appreciated, please send a cheque,
made payable to 'CENTRAL BANK - 1 COLDM GDS' to:
Hougoumont or Bust
LCpl Wiggins Appeal
Central Bank
1st Bn Coldstream Guards
Victoria Barracks
Windsor
Sheet Street
SL4 1HF
More information can be found by giving WOII John Sheard
a ring on 01753 755598 or sending us an e-mail at
ShinyCapstar (admin@ShinyCapstar.Com)
where we can pass it onto the Recruiting Team for you.
On the reverse of the cheque please write ‘LCPL WIGGINS
APPEAL’.
P L E A S E
D O N O T S E N D
A N Y C A S H. |
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